Shamelessly released during the height of awards season in December of 1993, this epic
historical drama film finally scored acclaimed director Steven Spielberg his first "Best
Director" award, one of seven Oscars won for the picture. Filmed on-location in Poland
on a budget of $20 million, the R-rated film eventually grossed $300 million in profit,
and is widely regarded as one of the greatest movies ever made, with a current standing
in IMDb's top-10 highest rated films. Based on the novel "Schindler's Ark" by Thomas Keneally
- the narrative shares the horrors of the Holocaust during the second World War, by
focusing on the life of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of
twelve hundred Polish-Jewish refugees by employing them in his factories. As the title character,
Liam Neeson gives the performance of his career... a man initially driven by profit, he remarks
on rounding up the Jews into ghettos as "bad business." Slowly, we see him develop deep
compassion and understanding for the Jews around him, especially in the picture's penultimate
scene, where he breaks down in shame for not having done more. His Jewish accountant, played
by the immensely talented Ben Kingsley however is quick to remind him of this quote from
the Talmud, "Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire." Opposite them is Ralph
Fiennes, who is positively brilliant as a despicable SS officer running a concentration
camp... but then again, it's not hard to make a Nazi look bad. It's the precious balance
of humanity and cruelty that drives this pictures many disconnected scenes. Like when German
officials tell Jews boarding a passenger train they'll eventually be reunited with their
belongings, yet we see the Nazis riffling through their valuables in the very next scene.
Or the frightening reality of Jewish woman piercing their own fingertips for blood, to
use as make-up for their faces, so they don't appear too sickly, and unworthy of living.
But occasionally, we're witness to small acts of defiance, and kindness that make the depressing
story slightly more bearable. I'm confused however by the picture's inconsistent use
of language... while most is stylistically presented in English, a number of the characters
still speak German - which was a curious choice. Filmed entirely in black and white, the brilliance of Spielberg's direction
is how dynamic and artistic each and every frame is, without every becoming too showy.
Although very seldom used, famed composer John Williams' Oscar-winning score makes excellent
use of a chorus of slow-moving violins, providing a haunting melody for the movie's most somber
scenes. At three hours and fifteen minutes in length though, the film does tend to wander...
but a more focused final act really drives home the story. An epilogue sequence that
sees the actors of the film accompanying their real-life counterparts and laying stones on
Schindler's actual tombstone is a touching, and emotional moment... but it feels a bit
forced and heavy-handed too. With gut-wrenching performances, thoughtful dialogue, beautiful
cinematography, and a crucial message about hope and salvation, this is a masterpiece
of cinema from top to bottom. An accurate, but often bleak account of the darkest period
in recorded history, this film is required viewing for all mankind, least we forget what
truly happened there. Certainly not easy an one to re-watch, the undeniable importance
of this film overshadows any of its flaws. "Schindler's List", "Unflinching and heartbreaking.
Powerful story." Now let's read some of your reviews, to hear your thoughts.
"Schindler's List"... a rare double TEN. Calling it touching, stunning, and neccesary viewing,
the vast majority of opinions were extremely positive for this picture, you thought it
was AMAZING. While not the easiest film to digest, I applaud Spielberg's attention to
realism and integrity... this is a stirring and wonderful film, so, despite its horrible
subject matter. I thought it was AMAZING as well.